GUILTY UK - Constance Marten & Mark Gordon charged in death of baby Victoria, GUILTY on all counts incl retrial on manslaughter, 5 Jan 2023 #9

[iamshadow21]

While it's her daughter, I still cannot understand why Marten''s mother is protecting her and writing a glowing characterreference of support which clearly is not the truth.
If both are not kept in prison until her child bearing years are over Gordon will make sure she becomes pregnant again.

She's thirty eight now. Conception after both of them are released without fertility treatment is going to be highly unlikely.

MOO

 

[iamshadow21]

Gordon
18 years ....14 in prison - 4 out on licence


Marten
14 years - two thirds only - approx 9.5 years - then out on licence


Less remand time of 2 yrs 7 months

The benefit of them being out on licence is, I don't see either if them complying, do you? Then it's the full stretch.

MOO

 

[elliefant]

I can’t see CM behaving herself in prison, she could end up serving longer than 2 thirds.

 

[Lucy6226]

Agreeing with others about their behaviour in prison. Given their behaviour in court, even today at sentencing, there's no way these two will get 'good behaviour' imo. And a cat in hells chance they'll comply with probation on release. Moo

 

[Alyce]

The benefit of them being out on licence is, I don't see either if them complying, do you? Then it's the full stretch.

MOO

Let's hope so

 

[Sarahlou]

I hope the time she serves will be long enough to see her through her fertile years!

Very unlikely she could have one at 50+
Even if she could, the baby would be removed from her care.

The sentences are better than I expected, but I really think Gordon should never be free.

 

[Teignmouth 22]

Very unlikely she could have one at 50+
Even if she could, the baby would be removed from her care.

The sentences are better than I expected, but I really think Gordon should never be free.

BIB
Same here. Nothing could ever be long enough but I was afraid they would only get 8 years or something.

 

[iamshadow21]

Agreeing with others about their behaviour in prison. Given their behaviour in court, even today at sentencing, there's no way these two will get 'good behaviour' imo. And a cat in hells chance they'll comply with probation on release. Moo

They're going to appeal this, you watch. Which might have a chance of reducing things down a bit if they hadn't antagonised everyone on all levels of the court system. I can only imagine the conversations about defending or prosecuting them amongst those who've taken silk. They're an absolute nightmare whatever side of the court you're on.

MOO

 

[Alyce]

only serving 2/3 of each sentence and then on licence

Did I hear that right??

Yes, I just went back to check. Both doing two thirds only, which will be just under 7 years, allowing for their time already spent on remand.

 

[Parker Knoll]

Just catching up as I have been out.
Mmmmm - this sentence is poor I am afraid.
Nowhere near long enough.
R.I.P baby Victoria.

 

[Deleted member 367833]

I thought they'd get Category B and 8 years.

Category A and 14 years is a surprise. It will probably fall on appeal, as also will the hypothermia assumption. (JMO)

What a disgraceful day for English justice.

<modsnip: unnecessary>

 

[CaptainNancy]

I thought they'd get Category B and 8 years.

Category A and 14 years is a surprise. It will probably fall on appeal, as also will the hypothermia assumption. (JMO)

What a disgraceful day for English justice.

<modsnip>

Given that the max sentence for GNM is, I think, life, why do you see 14 years as disgraceful?

 

[Lucy6226]

I thought they'd get Category B and 8 years.

Category A and 14 years is a surprise. It will probably fall on appeal, as also will the hypothermia assumption. (JMO)

What a disgraceful day for English justice.

<modsnip>

The judge was extremely clear why he decided on the hypothermia death. He even stated if it was due instead to smothering (as in CMs defense) the sentence would be the same.

Remember the only reason a postmortem couldn't confirm cause of death is because Victoria's death was concealed.

They have been found guilty and sentenced for manslaughter by gross negligence. The semantics of whether Victoria was smothered to death or died of hypothermia is irrelevant imo.

I don't doubt there will be an appeal. But I very much doubt it would be successful.

 

[iamshadow21]

I didn't watch live - does anyone know how long until the transcript of the sentencing remarks becomes available? I think with Letby it was very quick.

MOO

 

[bmacmillan1]

Any feedback on reaction of Marten''s mother and Gordon's sister on their sentencing?

 

[Deleted member 367833]

What did the charge of perverting the course of justice, for which they were convicted and have now been handed a five-year sentence, consist of?

Basically it amounts to keeping the information from the authorities that their baby had died (together of course with the verdict that she had died as the result of crime)? Is this correct? I am going by the sentencing remarks.

 

[Parker Knoll]

I don’t think it will be long tbh Shadow.

 

[Deleted member 367833]

They're going to appeal this, you watch. Which might have a chance of reducing things down a bit if they hadn't antagonised everyone on all levels of the court system. I can only imagine the conversations about defending or prosecuting them amongst those who've taken silk. They're an absolute nightmare whatever side of the court you're on.

MOO

Successfully helping them overturn their convictions would be prestigious even for a top defence silk.

 

[Yellowbelly]

I didn't watch live - does anyone know how long until the transcript of the sentencing remarks becomes available? I think with Letby it was very quick.

MOO

They're up already -

Rex -v- Mark Gordon and Constance Marten - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Central Criminal Court 15 September 2025 Before: The Recorder of LondonHis Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC Between: Rex -v- Mark GordonandConstance Marten Sentencing remarks

www.judiciary.uk

 

[Deleted member 367833]

The judge was extremely clear why he decided on the hypothermia death. He even stated if it was due instead to smothering (as in CMs defense) the sentence would be the same.

He said it "may not make any significant difference". (Para. 27.)
We'll see what the appeal court judges think of paras. 27-37.
I can't agree that the question is semantic. Nor is there any indication that Lucraft thinks so. Those who hear an appeal against sentence will look at the judge's stated basis for it, which in this case includes his judgment that the cause of death was hypothermia.

Hopefully the resumption of the inquest won't be postponed pending appeal.